West Berkshire Crematorium wins two prestigious awards
Another Westerleigh Group Crematorium, Great Glen, was also among the four finalists shortlisted in the crematorium of the year category
Westerleigh Group’s West Berkshire Crematorium has won the ‘Crematorium of the Year’ category at the Good Funeral Awards 2023, while manager Stephanie Langford was named winner of the Yearly Achieving Award.
The winners of the awards, which are run by the Association of Green Funeral Directors, were announced at a banquet evening over the weekend.
Another Westerleigh Group Crematorium, Great Glen, was also among the four finalists shortlisted in the crematorium of the year category, which the group’s Wessex Vale Crematorium won in 2021.
Debbie Smith, CEO of Westerleigh Group, said: “To have one of our sites named crematorium of the year for the second time in three years is testament to the superb facilities we have and more importantly the exceptional care that our people provide consistently in all our crematoria, something we are incredibly proud of.
“Huge congratulations go to the team at West Berkshire and, of course, to Steph, not only for leading that team but for also picking up the Yearly Achievement Award, a testament to her leading by example with professionalism and dedication.”
She added: “These awards are highly respected and it’s an honour to be nominated, let alone be shortlisted as finalists, and then to win two awards. But ultimately, the winners are the families we support, because recognition like this reinforces our belief about the quality of our facilities, our services and our people.”
West Berkshire Crematorium was opened in 2006 and is set in 10 acres of countryside, landscaped with over 250 trees.
Langford joined Westerleigh Group almost six years ago, initially as crematorium assistant at Test Valley Crematorium, progressing through and becoming manager at West Berkshire Crematorium in October 2020.
She said: “These awards are in recognition of the work that we do as one team at West Berkshire Crematorium, to deliver exceptional care to all our families, from the farewell services we host to the maintenance of our memorial grounds where families come to remember their loved ones.
“We are all very proud and humbled to be formally recognised for our work and support of the bereaved communities. Thank you to everyone who has supported our nomination.”
